Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor was pleased to see his team ‘win ugly’ after they gave their European hopes a big boost with a crucial BFA WSL 1-0 win at Spurs.
Caroline Weir’s scrappy goal gave in-form City all three points in London, on their return to league action for the first time since lifting the FA Continental League Cup last weekend. Taylor’s team had struggled to control proceedings for much of the game and, bar one moment where Weir’s free kick smashed back off the post, they didn’t look like breaking the deadlock for much of the opening hour.
Although the performance wasn’t City at their best, Taylor was just happy to keep momentum going, with the three points putting his team just five behind Manchester United in third, with a game in-hand.
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“It was an important win against an opponent in and around us,” said Taylor.
“We spoke before the game about winning ugly and that was pretty ugly, even the goal was a little bit scruffy but really pleased getting the win going into this period however it came.
“We’ve probably played miles better and not won games so we’ll take it for what it is at this stage of the season. In a couple of weeks’ time it just says 1-0 and nobody really mentions the performance.
“As much as you want to bottle what happened last weekend (winning the Conti Cup final).
“Sometimes it vanishes pretty quickly so it’s important for the players that they realise they’re more than capable and as staff we have to try and reinforce that.
Taylor’s team looked to have no hope of finishing in a Champions League place during the first half of the season, but a strong run of form have given City a real chance.
“We’ll just keep chipping away,” added the manager.
“People look at fixtures but there are no easy games. That was proved today, nobody wanted to give anything away.”
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